Target Panic
 

I got a case of target panic. I find myself hitting the trigger when I am an inch off target. How should I get rid of it? It's only 2 days old. I can't get a new release either. Thanks

RE: Target Panic
 

zack123, I had target panic so bad it was embarrassing. Everyone has a different cure. I went to one pin and would not shoot. I would just practice at holding on the spot without shooting. Let down and try again. ALOT of people have target panic in one way or another. There is no one cure. It is all in your head. Self control is the name of the game. Do some research and try whatever seems to be working for you. It sounds like you found the reason why your arrows aren't grouping.

RE: Target Panic
 

Try the holding and no shooting thing. Also, you may want to just put the bow down for a little while, even though i know thats tough to do. I got target panic really bad and tried and tried to fix it, shot after shot. Then i found out, i was just making it worse. Try the holdling trick. Also, move closer. Shoot at like 10 yards or something. Gradually move back to twenty. Then try longer range shots. Once you get long range down, the 20 yard shots seem like nothin. Keep us posted on how your doing.

RE: Target Panic
 

I just read that when you shoot if you look for the arrow before you have completed the follow through, you get thrown off course. I think this is what is happening to me.

RE: Target Panic
 

Follow through is definitely the key...just curious, do you shoot with both eyes open or one closed?

RE: Target Panic
 

I shoot with left closed. I can't see with both open. I am strongly left eyed. I can't see down the peep with both open.

RE: Target Panic
 

Shoot at like 10 yards or something.

Very good advice , allso get reel close draw back close your eyes and release .

RE: Target Panic
 

Just took some advice last night from a guy who often shoots high score at the 3-D hunter stakes. I had always held my hand wide open to prevent pulling the bow after release. Last night he suggested that I cup the grip by lightly placing the very tips of my fingers on the front of it. My shooting improved almost instantly and I felt as though I was better able to control the pin movement across the target. The "vee" in my hand provided more of a basin for the rest to sit in while having the tips of my fingers resting on the front of the grip made it hard to grab even if my subconcious wanted to. It seemed like such a simple, subtle change, but it worked great. Maybe it'll work for you as well since target panic seems to be a function of not having total control.

Fritz

RE: Target Panic
 

It may not be target panic. If you can cross the spot, but not let the pin settle, you may be impatient. I used to do this "drive by shooting". I was in a hurry to get the shot off while I thought I was on target. Aim and let the pin settle on the spot. Don't get in rush. If something doesn't feel right, let down. I don't know how many times in the past I've forced a shot when I felt something was wrong. Those were usually not 10s, either. Now that I can let down, those shots are usually 10s. If you can't even get the pin on the spot, that's target panic. I set a target about 8 yds (put it closer if you are afraid of missing it), aim, and then close my eyes. Hold for 4 seconds and release. This allows me to feel the shot, with no other input.

RE: Target Panic
 

Zac123
Try the grip thing .open up your grip with the index finger,middle finger on the front of the riser .Don't try to antesipate the shot .Keep focused on the target.And try shooting at a smaller target ,the size of a thumb tac.
Also start at 10,20,30,40yards.

RE: Target Panic
 

Al Henderson one of the greatest archery coaches suggests shooting an open ring with no pin in it. They human eye will automaticaly center an object in a perfect circle. You can try this by taking a wedding band and holding it out and looking at an object. Your eye will center the object everytime. I took a Check-it ring sight pin and cut the pin out to overcome target panic. Not only did it work but I am still shooting it in all my target shooting. That was 10 or 12 years ago when I went to it.

RE: Target Panic
 

zac, you do in fact have target panic. what you are trying to do it "get it before it gets away" you can aim, but only for a short period of time. you get scared of a miss, and whack it.

taking the sight off of the bow is a good idea, and shooting a 10 yards is also a good idea. you need to retrain or train your mind to what a good shot is and what it feels like. shooting a blank bale at ten yards lets you do that. you need not be concerned with hitting anything, or even aiming. i will suggest keeping your eye or eyes open. just focus on the release, and what it takes to manipulate it. shooting with a caliper style release in general is one of the greatest causes of target panic because they are so easy to manipulate. your index finger should extend over the trigger to the second joint in the finger. you should not have to reach for the trigger. pulling thru the shot and using steady back tension is the key. pushing with the bow arm and pulling with the release hand will help. imagine squeezing a ball between your shoulder blades as you aim. do not pull the trigger with your index finger. allow back tension to trigger the release. this will take a lot of focus, and if the shot does not happen in 10 seconds or less, let the bow down and start over. overholding and aiming is just as bad as snap shooting. after about 100 arrows, put your sight on your bow. stay at 10 yards and begin shooting at a spot. your mind has to know it is okay for the pin to sit where you want your arrow to strike. at this point all you need to do is focus on your spot and squeeze the back tension. proper draw length is key here. if your bow is too long, you will have fits. 72" of wingspan is 28.5 inches of draw. for every inch of wingspan above that, add 1/2 inch of draw, and same goes for shorter, subtract 1/2 inch of draw for every inch below.

start with a good positive attitude, and relax. it will come together with a little practice.